Whats my next project car?

Alfa GTV's have always been expensive but in the past 5-10 years they have reached insane numbers. I see unrestored projects being sold for $20k. I looked at one in Raleigh last year and it was full of rust but was a runner. I think he was asking $15k. I probably should have bought it but i'm not much of a welder or body repair man. The Bavaria is a standout but they are pretty rare. I think there are only 3 for sale on Hemmings.
 
There are several absolute bargain priced models to choose from with older MB's. Guaranteed they will climb in value as the US market continues to expand in the classic car realm. And they tend to be relatively rust free (I said relatively). Find one with original paint; usually a couple minor dents/scratches and the paint's faded, but that's easy to get redone. Mechanically they are extremely robust, and easy to work on. Parts are very overpriced if purchased from dealers (like with most vehicles), but there are lots of specialist suppliers with affordable offerings. And you can still get anything you need. All of the vehicle options discussed in this thread are going to need some work, so consider that last point for any of them.

Some examples on airbag conversions:

DSC_2992_zpsmvcxzzg5 - Copy.jpg

DSC_2951_zpsoybpfxnn - Copy.jpg
 
I am not thinking about any new automotive projects at this time as I seem to be having enough trouble with my current car warranty right now if the number of phone calls I get is any indication.
 
dragonsgate said:
car warranty
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Funny that you bring that up. I just went out to get the mail and saw yet another solicitation to sell me an extended warranty. As you say, frequent spam phone calls in addition to letters in the mail. I was wondering if it's a regional thing or happening everywhere.

Seems the "warranty" concept has once again hit the radar of marketing geeks. About every twenty years or so it becomes a thing again. The new car dealers have always tried to sell them through the manufacturer, but this is different. These fall into the "scam" category (not that the dealer offers aren't scams).

Way back when I was working full time on my MBA I took on a job with a insurance company. In addition to other things, they were the underwriters for one of those extended warranty companies. It was structured to make it almost impossible for the policy holder to get anything out of it. Typical of the insurance industry on the whole.
 
I have always wanted a Volvo wagon so let me throw that in the mix. Either a 240 or 740 would make a great camper or bike hauler.
 
tobydmv said:
I have always wanted a Volvo wagon so let me throw that in the mix. Either a 240 or 740 would make a great camper or bike hauler.
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There's a nice little kit to install a 5.0 Ford (Mustang) drivetrain in those wagons. Paul Newman had one. With a sufficient radiator, that would make for a really nice camper/toy hauler. ;)
 
Dr.Jeff said:
Funny that you bring that up. I just went out to get the mail and saw yet another solicitation to sell me an extended warranty. As you say, frequent spam phone calls in addition to letters in the mail. I was wondering if it's a regional thing or happening everywhere.

Seems the "warranty" concept has once again hit the radar of marketing geeks. About every twenty years or so it becomes a thing again. The new car dealers have always tried to sell them through the manufacturer, but this is different. These fall into the "scam" category (not that the dealer offers aren't scams).

Way back when I was working full time on my MBA I took on a job with a insurance company. In addition to other things, they were the underwriters for one of those extended warranty companies. It was structured to make it almost impossible for the policy holder to get anything out of it. Typical of the insurance industry on the whole.
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We get extended auto warranty junk mail often - that has escalated to spam calls (for both my wife & I) in the past weeks...
 
Dr.Jeff said:
There's a nice little kit to install a 5.0 Ford (Mustang) drivetrain in those wagons. Paul Newman had one. With a sufficient radiator, that would make for a really nice camper/toy hauler. ;)
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Or maybe keep the Italian approach. "Volvoghini".
This guy sold the turbo, injectors and most electronics for my UT build as well.
 
Bjorn Nilson said:
Or maybe keep the Italian approach. "Volvoghini".
This guy sold the turbo, injectors and most electronics for my UT build as well.
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Thanks for the link Bjorn! Down another rabbit-hole I go :D

Man, that guy has some serious facilities and resources! I love all the shots in the high end junk yards (different episode, in Dubai)

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Bjorn Nilson said:
Or maybe keep the Italian approach. "Volvoghini".
This guy sold the turbo, injectors and most electronics for my UT build as well.
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It looks like it is not an easy fit. When Volvo put an inline 6 in a 144, they lengthened the wheelbase in front of the A-pillar. Lesson here is to make your Volvoghini with the V8, not the V10.
 
johnph said:
It looks like it is not an easy fit. When Volvo put an inline 6 in a 144, they lengthened the wheelbase in front of the A-pillar. Lesson here is to make your Volvoghini with the V8, not the V10.
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Not an easy fit, even the huge engine bay of a 740 would require a shoe horn to squeeze in a V10. It is quite common with V8 in Volvo 240/740/850 in Sweden. Most of them are not modified in any other way so they are real sleepers. Old Volvos with 2JZ and Barra are also quite popular builds.
 
dllubin said:
I seem to recall some Chevy small block conversions on 240s.
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Wasn't that company called the Scorpion or something like that? I considered buying one that had already been converted. Until I took it for a test drive and at every corner the front end washed out with excessive understeer.
 
dllubin said:
Was Scorpion also the guys who made the small block conversion for the 240Z?
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Ha, I thought you were talking about the 240Z. Now I realize you were obviously referring to Volvo, my mistake. The Datsun Z was the one I drove with the bad push.
 
I believe you are referring to the Scarab?

datsunforum.com

The Scarab legend - The original hybrid Datsun Z.

Back in early 1976, Brian Morrow's company, Scarab Engineering, was building a Z car with a lot of the mods that we enthusiasts still pursue 40 years later...
datsunforum.com datsunforum.com

www.caranddriver.com

Tested: Old Volvo Wagons Are a V-8 Swap from Serious Speed

From the Archive: For the famous gearheads wanting to speed around town unnoticed.
www.caranddriver.com www.caranddriver.com

jagsthatrun.com

Volvo 700 Series V8 Motor Mounting Kit

The Stealth Conversions Volvo 700 series V8 motor mounting kit consists of aluminum adapter plates that bolt onto the Volvo crossmember, steel engine brackets, Chevrolet style rubber isolators and a transmission crossmember. The steel engine brackets have slotted mounting holes to allow...
jagsthatrun.com jagsthatrun.com
 
kmead said:
I believe you are referring to the Scarab?

datsunforum.com

The Scarab legend - The original hybrid Datsun Z.

Back in early 1976, Brian Morrow's company, Scarab Engineering, was building a Z car with a lot of the mods that we enthusiasts still pursue 40 years later...
datsunforum.com datsunforum.com

www.caranddriver.com

Tested: Old Volvo Wagons Are a V-8 Swap from Serious Speed

From the Archive: For the famous gearheads wanting to speed around town unnoticed.
www.caranddriver.com www.caranddriver.com

jagsthatrun.com

Volvo 700 Series V8 Motor Mounting Kit

The Stealth Conversions Volvo 700 series V8 motor mounting kit consists of aluminum adapter plates that bolt onto the Volvo crossmember, steel engine brackets, Chevrolet style rubber isolators and a transmission crossmember. The steel engine brackets have slotted mounting holes to allow...
jagsthatrun.com jagsthatrun.com
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Yes, that's it. They were just a couple of towns over from here in San Carlos. There were several articles about them back then.
 
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